The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius is a large, bottom-dwelling fish known for its distinctive appearance and predatory habits. Its wide, flattened head with a large, gaping mouth and protruding lower jaw is a striking feature, earning it the nickname “anglerfish” due to its unique fishing technique.
Description & Characteristics
The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius can reach a maximum size of 200 cm in length. Its body is elongated and flattened, with a broad, flattened head that is significantly larger than the body. The mouth is enormous, lined with sharp, backward-pointing teeth. A distinctive feature is the fleshy “illicium,” a modified dorsal fin ray that acts as a lure, resembling a worm. The illicium is located above the mouth and is used to attract prey.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius inhabits a wide range of depths, typically found between 20.0 and 1,000.0 meters. This species is considered a demersal fish, meaning it lives on or near the seafloor. Its distribution encompasses the North Atlantic Ocean, including the waters off the coasts of Europe and North America. It is a prevalent inhabitant of the neritic zone, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Lophiiformes, and Family: Lophiidae. Teleostei is a diverse group of bony fish that includes over 20,000 species. The Order Lophiiformes, commonly known as anglerfishes, is a group of primarily marine fishes characterized by their unique lure-bearing first dorsal fin ray. The Family Lophiidae, to which Lophius piscatorius belongs, is known for its large mouths and powerful jaws.
Feeding
The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius is an ambush predator that uses its illicium lure to attract prey. It lies in wait on the seafloor, camouflaged against the substrate, and then uses its powerful jaws to quickly engulf its unsuspecting prey. The Monkfish – Lophius piscatorius primarily feeds on fish, including smaller fishes and crustaceans. Its diet consists mainly of little fishes, which it attracts with the dangling illicium lure.
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